Three-year-old gelding Banjo Star ($1.09 fav) opened his Tasmanian account when claiming a no more than one lifetime win race over 2200m in Launceston on Friday night.
Banjo Star was first-up from a spell after winning on debut at Kilmore in November.
Victorian trainer Michael Breen gave driving responsibilities to Rohan Hillier, who had the gelded son of The Storm Inside positioned midfield before making an early move to find the lead near the 1700m.
After a 64.9s first half of the final mile, Banjo Star dashed away in the home straight, running his last two quarters in 29.5s and 28.1s to score by 9.2m in a mile rate of 2:02.7s.
Hillier said Banjo Star still had improvement to come despite his dominant win.
“He is pretty green, but I think he goes alright,” Hillier said.
“He will have another run, and then the plan at this stage is he will likely go home after that.”
Hillier was also in the sulky for the win of the Paul Carlson-trained Rock Amour ($4.60) in the other no more than one lifetime win race on the card.
The five-year-old gelded son of Pet Rock settled at the tail and raced three and four wide over the final half mile.
“It was a slow-run race. He did a good job to win from where he was,” the driver said.
Hillier also had success as a trainer on the card when Winsum Bella ($3.50 fav) led all the way to win an up to 44 event by 20.8m in a mile rate of 1:57.3s for the 1680m trip.
It was the first leg of a driving double for Chibnall, who also trained and drove Onehandonebounce ($2.50 fav) to victory in the last.
The gelded son of A Rocknroll Dance passed $100,000 in prize money earnings with the win, with the pacer recording a mile rate of 1:57.4s for the 1680m distance.
Trainer Luke Alcorn was all smiles when Caribbean Blaster gelding Boulder City ($3.10 fav) won the opening race of the night, also passing $100,000 in prize money earnings with Grace Jones in the sulky.
Her brother Malcom was also on the winners list, partnering Loyola Trios ($7.00) to victory for the Kyle Pratten stable in a 45 to 49 rating event.
A pre-race qualifying trial was held prior to the meeting, with pre-race trials reintroduced for Launceston meetings.
They will not be held at meetings with 10 or more races or on Saturday night programs.
The trial replay is available here.
